A Royal Affair

In 1766, King Christian VII of Denmark (Mikkel Boe Folsgaard) took
on a wife – British aristocrat Caroline Mathilde (Alicia Vikander). After
she becomes pregnant with the king’s child and he reverts to his old debauch
ways, the arrival of an Enlightened German doctor, Johann Friedrich Struensee
(Mads Mikkelson), will change the kingdom forever in “A Royal Affair.”

Robin:
Screenwriter turned film director Nikolaj Arcel adapts, with Rasmus Heisterberg,
the period novel by Bodil Steensen-Leth, and the result is a historical drama
that tells a story little known here in America. All elements of the film
- fine casting, excellent period set and costume, a story about court intrigue
and a star-crossed romance between a queen and a commoner - make for a nicely
crafted film work that is fascinates the mind and imagination.

The story spans six years in the tumultuous life in the court of Denmark
in the latter half of the 18th century. King Christian, we realize early on,
is a spoiled man/child with mental and emotional issues who is thrust onto
a kingly throne. His erratic, irresponsible behavior is a scandal and the
king’s council rules the country, not Christian. When Johann arrives in Copenhagen
and is appointed the king’s physician, Christian has a new drinking and carousing
partner – and an advisor. Then, the doctor meets the beautiful Queen Catherine
and a torrid, secret affair between her and the doctor begins. But, feudal
Denmark will soon feel the effects of the liberal Enlightenment movement,
brought by the German physician, so prominent in the rest of Europe at the
time. But, there will be a downfall for the illicit couple, too.

Alicia Vikander and Mads Mikkelson are terrific as the queen and Dr. Struensee.
Their affair takes time to develop, about an hour before the first kiss, but
this allows the true tale of Danish court intrigue to build as the king relinquishes
his power to his so-called council. He is a mere rubber stamp as he is told,
when he questions a decree, to “just sign it.” This subservience repeats
itself through the film as Christian’s mental state deteriorates. Mikkel
Boe Folsgaard is a standout (even more so than his costars) as the figurehead
king who is more child than man and evokes real sympathy for his mentally
disturbed character. Supporting cast is superb.

This is a beautifully rendered period piece that uses its elaborate sets
and costumes with subtly, making you feel you are in the time, not just watching
it. Besides the attention to production details, the screenplay is based on
real life events and the source material and its adaptation ring true in
accuracy and detail. I give it an A-.

Laura:
In 1766 England, the daughter of the Prince of Wales, Princess Caroline
Mathilde (Alicia Vikander), left her home to marry her cousin, Denmark's
King Christian VII (Berlin's Best Actor Mikkel Boe Følsgaard).
She was astonished to learn that many of her books were banned from the Danish
court and that her new husband wasn't quite right in the head. Christian
was made to hire personal physician, German Dr. Johann Friedrich Struensee
(Mads Mikkelsen, "Casino Royale," "Valhalla Rising"), and the two quickly
became friends, but when the Queen learned Struensee was a devotee of banned
authors Rousseau and Voltaire, the two quietly began to work through Christian
to bring Denmark into the Age of Enlightenment while embarking on "A Royal
Affair."

Denmark's submission for the Foreign Language Film Oscar is a sweeping historical/romantic
epic, a complex tale made thoroughly entertaining by cowriter (with his 2009
"The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo" partner Rasmus Heisterberg)/director Nikolaj
Arcel. In fact, Arcel's film bears some resemblance to the 1977 "The
Man in the Iron Mask," with its grateful queen blossoming under a compassionate
pretender to the throne. But this one doesn't have a happy ending and
court council member Ove Høegh-Guldberg's (David Dencik, "Tinker Tailor
Soldier Spy," "War Horse") machinations with the King's stepmother Juliane
Marie (Trine Dyrholm, "In a Better World"), looking to benefit her own son,
might remind some of America's current political climate.

This true life tale, very well known in its home country, is a fascinating
bit of history. Who knew just how modern thinking the Danish court became
in the late 1700's (only to be blasted back to medieval times and kept there
behind their European brethren)? After her rather horrifying introduction
to the Danish court, in which she was insulted by her crazy new husband in
public then subjected to his marital bed, Caroline becomes more and more
reclusive. Even her 'new' lady-in-waiting Louise von Plessen (Laura
Bro, "Brothers"), her only friend, is banished by the King. His council,
led by J. H. E. Bernstoff (Bent Mejding, "Italian for Beginners"), uses him
as a puppet.

But everything changes when Schack Carl Rantzau (Thomas W. Gabrielsson)
and Enevold Brandt (Cyron Bjørn Melville, "No Man's Land"), no longer
favored at court, propel their friend Struensee into the spotlight.
Struensee clearly had the right psychological skills to gain the King's trust
and open him to new ideas. Using the royal's love of Shakespeare and
the stage, the doctor encourages him to 'act' to his own council, introducing
measures like better hygiene to reduce Copenhagen's odors and vaccinations
for all against rampant disease. Yet when the Queen bore a second child many
thought fathered by Struensee, the public could be inflamed via scandalous
flyers to rout their very champions. It's a tragic tale.

The film looks stunning, all pastel gowns, lush green countryside, bluish-gray
palaces and opulent royal beds. Alicia Vikander is perhaps lovelier
than her real life counterpart (and while the script allows her to ride a
horse astride, it abandons her predilection for dressing in men's clothing),
but her flawless skin and rosy cheeks speak of both English roses and Danish
purity. Vikander doesn't play loudly, letting excitement, confusion,
curiosity and lust burble beneath the surface. And while Mads Mikkelsen
has become an international star and has the sexier role here, it is Mikkel
Boe Følsgaard who really astonishes, always keeping us wondering if
the King's madness is real or, at least in part, a tactic. For his part,
Mikkelsen is a bit earnest as the high-minded doctor, yet we can see his
pleasure in play with the King and his conflicted desire for the queen.

"A Royal Affair" is a historical drama of the likes rarely made anymore.
This beautiful production is entertaining, engrossing and yes, enlightening.